Last week, Senator Mike Nyambuya spoke at the sad occasion of the burial of the two children, cousins Dilan and Melissa Benza (both seven years old), who were murdered for ritualistic purposes on April 13. Among the suspects arrested is Dilan’s maternal uncle.
Their fate cause much unrest in the country where emotions were already high after the ritual killing of a boy, Tapiwa Makore, seven years old, who was brutally murdered, also by his uncle, in September 2020. I reported extensively on his tragic death. Due to certain circumstances I haven’t yet reported on the ritual murder of the Benza cousins. Hopefully I will in the near future.
Senator Nyambuya’s remarks struck me, not only because of the contents of his message but also because his name reminded me of my very close friend Muchaneta Nyambuya. May his soul rest in peace. Muchaneta and I were colleagues at the University of Liberia where we were both teaching at the College of Business and Public Administration and we became close friends. In the late 1970s, a surge in ritualistic murders caused much upheaval in Liberia and I asked Muchaneta whether this phenomenon was unique for Liberia. Read here what he had to say to my question.
I have learned a lot after these years in Liberia. More than 40 years have passed since then. Mucha, as we affectionally called him, left for Zimbabwe on the eve of the official independence of his country. Following the Lancaster House Agreement, Zimbabwe became an independent republic in April 1980. The days of Ian Smith, who in 1965 had made history with his Unilateral Declaration of Independence, were definitely over. The new strongman was Robert Mugabe. Rhodesia became Zimbabwe. I will not dwell on his fate, Mucha’s. He died suddenly and unexpectedly, after what people call ‘a 24-hour treatment’ in the interrogation rooms of Zimbabwe’s secret police. But that’s another story.
Back to 2021 in Zimbabwe and the recent surge in ritual murders. (webmaster FVDK).
‘Ritual Murder Instigators Should Face Stiff Sanctions’
Published: May 1, 2021 By: Pindula, Zimbabwe
Senate deputy president Senator Mike Nyambuya has called for the enactment of legislation to punish people who incite others to perform ritual murders.
Nyambuya was speaking on Friday last week at the burial of the slain Benza cousins at the Benza homestead in Kanganya Village in Mutasa, Manicaland Province.
Dilan and Melissa Benza (both seven years old), who were cousins and pupils at St Robert’s Mbaza Primary School in Mutasa, were brutally murdered on their way home from school on 13 April.
The prime suspect is Solomon Manyama, Dilan’s maternal uncle, while Passmore Sambaza is another suspect.
They were both remanded in custody to 6 May when they appeared at Nyanga magistrate’s court last week on Tuesday facing murder charges.
The Benza family spokesperson, Johannes Benza, revealed that the two were not killed at the same spot as was initially thought.
Benza said Melissa was the first to be killed on the grass near the Blair toilet where their bodies were dumped, while Delane was slain in a maize field near the Sambaza homestead.
Speaking at the burial which was attended by over 500 people, Nyambuya said the two cousins’ deaths had touched the whole nation. He said:
It could have been one of your children or grandchildren dying in such a cruel manner. It could have been any one of us here being murdered in cold blood because these ritual killers know no age. We are still in shock.
Where have our norms and values gone to? We should respect the sanctity of human life. Laws should be enacted to punish the perpetrators and those who incite people to conduct ritual killings.
The nation is still mourning the death of Tapiwa Makore from Murehwa and now we are burying the two Benza children who were ruthlessly murdered.
We don’t know who will be the next victim. Communities should be on the lookout for ritual killers. All those convicted should face the full wrath of the law.
Tapiwa Makore was also 7-years-old when he was brutally murdered by his uncle Tapiwa Makore Sr and his herdsman Tafadzwa Shamba in September last year.
He was buried several months after his murder without his head and other body parts which were allegedly harvested for ritual purposes.
In Zimbabwe, during the fourth quarter of last year the number of ritualistic murders or suspected ritual killings could no longer be counted. I’ve raised the question before whether there was a real surge in ritual murders or an increased interest of local media and the authorities for these heinous crimes – in the wake of the tragic death of the 7-year-old Tapiwa Makore, in Murehwa village, in September 2020.
To illustrate the foregoing I have selected a small number of recent ritual murder cases. I must emphasize that by presenting these cases I do not pretend to be exhaustive. It is to be feared that the murder cases reported and described here only represent the proverbial tip of the iceberg.
Warning: the following articles contain graphic details of ritualistic activities (webmaster FVDK)
Horror as Mwenezi men kill brother’s child, cut off privates in another brutal ritual murder
The accused, Taruziva Sithole and Shackmore Dube, both from Chomutamba Village, in Mwenezi West, Zimbabwe
Published: December 31, 2020 By: iHarare, Zimbabwe – Tim E. Ndoro
In yet another very disturbing incident of ritual murder, two men from Mwenezi were arrested after they brutally murdered a 6-year-old girl, and cut off her private parts intending to sell them in South Africa for ritual purposes. One of the alleged murderers is the older brother of the victim’s father.
iHarare has learnt that Taruziva Sithole (37) and Shackmore Dube (26), both from Chomutamba Village 3 under Chief Mazetese in Mwenezi West, were arrested on December 30, barely 24 hours after committing the heinous crime.
Local publication TellZim reports that Dube who is a frequent traveller to South Africa told Sithole that his boss in South Africa was looking for the private parts of a young girl. He went on to say that if they delivered the gruesome package, they would be handsomely rewarded with a car and a lot of cash.
After being enticed by Dube’s promises of how to get rich quickly, Sithole plotted to kill Irene Sithole, his younger brother’s daughter.
On December 29 at around 8 pm, Sithole is alleged to have brutally assaulted Irene with a log until she collapsed and died due to the injuries sustained in the diabolical assault.
When he noted that his niece had died, Sithole placed her body in a plastic-weave bag, commonly referred to as Shangani Bag, and went to Dube who was waiting for him outside the Sithole homestead.
The two men then carried the body into the bush, where Dube proceeded to cut off the young girl’s private parts with a knife he had come prepared with. After getting the privates, Sithole and Dube burned Irene’s body in an attempt to destroy the evidence of their heinous crime.
However, Sithole’s wife who was appalled when she saw her husband brutally assaulting the little girl alerted the other villagers, who promptly informed the police.
Police officers from Mwenezi were dispatched to the village, where they discovered the little girl’s burnt remains. However, the private parts are yet to be recovered.
Sithole and Dube were arrested and charged with Irene’s murder. The two appeared before Mwenezi Magistrate Honest Musiiwa on Thursday. The Magistrate did not ask for them to plead and remanded them in custody.
In the last few months, Zimbabwe has been plagued with cases of brutal ritual murders in which minors are being murdered by people for money-making charms. Some of the cases include that of 7-year-old Tapiwa Makore of Murehwa who was murdered and decapitated allegedly at the instructions of his uncle and namesake Tapiwa Makore Senior.
Published: December 31, 2020 By: TellZim News – Cephas Shava
MWENEZI – In probably one of the most gruesome murder akin to the Murehwa boy’s callous murder, two Mwenezi men connived and allegedly murdered a six-year-old girl and burnt her body after removing her genitals
The two accused, Taruziva Sithole (37) and Shackmore Dube (26), who both reside at Chomutamba Village 3 under Chief Mazetese in Mwenezi West, were arrested yesterday, December 30, after allegedly committing the offence the previous day.
The two were not asked to plead when they appeared before Mwenezi Magistrate Honest Musiiwa today, December 31.
Musiiwa remanded them in custody for the murder of the minor who is daughter to Sithole’s younger brother.
It is alleged that on December 29, the two accused persons connived to kill Irene Sithole who lived at the same homestead with Sithole. On the same day at around 20:00, Sithole began to assault Irene using a log and she collapsed and died as a result of the assault.
Upon realising that the girl had died, Sithole took a Shangani bag and placed the deceased’s body inside and went to meet Dube who was reportedly waiting for him outside the homestead.
In the dead of the night, the two carried the body to the bush where Dube reportedly used a knife to cut the girls’ vaginal lips which he allegedly intended to sell to South Africa.
In an attempt to conceal the evidence, the two accused allegedly burnt the girls’ body using some firewood.
The matter came to light after Sithole’s wife, who had seen her husband beating the deceased, alerted other villagers who later on informed the police. Mwenezi police attended the murder scene where they recovered the minor’s burnt skull, teeth and ribs.
The girls’ private parts was not yet recovered by the time of writing.
Sources said the two decided to kill the girl after Dube, who often travels to South Africa, promised that upon delivering the private parts to his boss who is outside the country, they would be rewarded with a car and a lot of money.
In a yet another case of ritual murder, two men from Mwenezi allegedly murdered a six-year-old girl and burnt her body after removing her private parts.
This comes after the dust has hardly settled following the murder of a 7-year-old Murehwa boy, Tapiwa Makore, which was followed by another gruesome murder of a juvenile in Gokomere, Masvingo last month, yet another murder case of a minor has been recorded in Mwenezi.
The suspects, Taruziva Sithole (37) and Shackmore Dube (26), have since appeared in court to answer to murder charges following an incident which happened on the 29th of December, 2020.
The deceased, Irene Sithole, allegedly died after being assaulted by her uncle, Taruziva Sithole, who is said to have carried the body to a nearby bush where Shackmore Dube allegedly cut off the deceased’s private parts.
The two accused allegedly burnt the deceased’s body using firewood and were arrested after villagers reported the matter to Mwenezi police.
Police officers found the deceased’s burnt skull, teeth and ribs at the crime scene.
The two accused persons were remanded in custody to the 14th of January 2021.
Another uncle murders own brother’s son for ritual purposes in shocking case
Published: November 27, 2020 By: iHarare, Zimbabwe – Vincent Masikati
In yet another very disturbing development, a man from Honde Valley, Manicaland recently confessed to murdering his own brother’s son for ritual purposes. The uncle to the deceased boy revealed that he harvested the minor’s private parts, arms, ears, and eyes after being contracted to do so by his other brother and a local businessman.
The case comes at a time when the country is still reeling from the brutal ritual murder of 7-year-old Tapiwa Makore of Murehwa, who was also murdered for ritual purposes at the instruction of his uncles.
iHarare has learned from the Manica Post that Jacob Muranganwa confessed after seemingly being tormented by the spirit of his nephew Zedek. Zedek was murdered last year, allegedly by Jacob.
The issue came to light when Jacob made the bizarre confession during a session of the traditional court held by Chief Mutasa. At the court session, Jacob’s other brother John said he wanted protection from his siblings James and Abraham. He alleged that the two were harassing him and accusing him of killing Zedek for ritual purposes.
Jacob shocked the court, however, by confessing to the ritual murder of Zedek and exposing everyone who was involved in the fiendish plot.
“I cannot endure this torment anymore. Every morning I wake up sleeping outside. At first, I thought I was sleep-walking, but when I started seeing Zedek’s image every night, I knew his avenging spirit was behind it all.
“Whenever it gets dark, l see the boy’s image. I am the only one who sees him, even when I am with someone else,”
Without being prodded, Jacob went on to narrate in graphic detail what had transpired.
“Sometime last year, my brother John, Kwambana and another businessman asked me to harvest a young boy’s body parts for money-making rituals.
“The next day I saw Zedek coming from school and I lured him to my workplace — John’s grinding mill. I promised to give him some money for his school fees and he obliged. I gave him sadza laced with Maragada pills.
“He ate the sadza and dozed off moments later. I took a hammer and hit him once on the head. Zedek died instantly. I took his body and hid it behind the grinding mill.
“After closing the grinding mill, I cut off the body parts. When John and his partners came to collect the body parts, they placed the body in a refrigerator. It stayed there for three days before they instructed me to hang it near Zedek’s home to make it appear like the boy had committed suicide,”
After noting that the matter was beyond his jurisdiction, Chief Mutasa handed the matter over to the local police station.
In another twist to the saga, John mysteriously died a week later and was buried last Friday. The local community as well as the Muranganwa family believe that he was haunted to an early grave by the spirit of his murdered nephew Zedek.
Curiously though, Jacob is reported to be walking scot-free after the police released him from custody despite the damning confession.
When reached for comment on the case, the police could neither confirm nor deny the matter. Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringwa said,
“We have called Ruda Police Station and they could neither confirm nor deny that they are handling such a case. However, word doing the rounds in the community confirms the murder case. We will need to dig deeper with the investigations to get to the bottom of the issues,”
Latest on Zimuto ritual killing: father disputes that cousin who stewed son’s head is mentally ill
Published: December 9, 2020 By: Iharare, Zimbabwe – Vincent Masikiati
The father of the 9-year-old Zimuto boy who was brutally murdered in yet another ritual killing has spoken out saying he doubts that the perpetrator, his cousin, is mentally ill.
The nation was shocked to learn that 22-year-old Clever Chitiga had brutally murdered 9-year-old Trevor Mapxashike (also known as Mapwashike) and dismembered his body. Clever and Trevor’s father, Henry Mapxashike are cousins. After killing his nephew, Clever stewed the body in a pot after pounding it and seems to have prepared to feast on it. He was caught before he could continue with his bizarre ritual.
Trevor’s heartbroken father narrated how he made the gruesome discovery to local publication Herald,
“I almost collapsed, after forcing the door to one of his rooms, open. A trail of blood, which we believed to be my son’s, led us to his head which was being stewed in a big pot.
“The door had been locked from inside and I had to gain entry through the window and opened it from inside.
“My mother, who accompanied me to Clever’s homestead, used a stick to shove the head so that we could properly see what was in the pot and to our shock, it was my son’s head which was being stewed. He had shaved it using a broken beer bottle and pounded it with a pestle and mortar.”
Despite the shocking crime, Henry said that he bears no ill-will towards his cousin who brutally murdered his son and instead called for unity among his family members. He, however, questioned the narrative that Clever was mentally ill saying that his actions showed that some planning had gone into committing the vile deed.
“My only appeal and prayer is for the family to unite and get to the bottom of this because I think there is something behind this. We need to sit down and cleanse our family because this is strange and bizarre. It’s unheard of. When I got to Clever’s homestead, he had already fled from the scene after I had asked him if he had seen my son,” he said.
“I believe there was juju at play because from what I know, Clever never had a history of mental illness. In fact, his discreetness and the way he tried to conceal evidence of his diabolic act smacks of someone who is mentally stable.”
Clever’s brother, Brine Chitiga (40) also ruled out mental illness. Brine said that he suspected that his young brother was being tormented by the spirit of a person whom he murdered when he was into gold panning a few years back. He also said that his younger brother may have been into occultism and juju.
“I suspect that he (Clever) might be tormented by an avenging spirit. He might have killed a person in Mberengwa where he was panning for gold since 2018.
“He started acting strangely after he returned from Mberengwa. He always threatened to kill people and was acting strangely,” he said.
The local community as well as the traditional leaders have called on the Mupxashike family to hold a cleansing ceremony to remove the dark could hanging over the family following the death of Trevor. Most of the community said that they had never witnessed or heard of anything like the Zimuto ritual killing of young Trevor
Sometimes I don’t believe what I’m reading. Like the story reproduced below. Maybe it’s not true. Maybe it is. Reading more and more details I get increasingly suspicious. Is this man, Jabob Muranganwa, speaking the truth? Is he reliable? is he insane? Jacob confessed killing his brother’s son for ritual purposes. In itself, it is already a story hard to believe although we know that these ugly practices occur in some countries, unfortunately also in Zimbabwe. The recent ritual murder of a 7-year old boy, Tapiwa Makore from Murewa village, in the neighboring Mashonaland East province, sadly illustrates this point. See my previous postings on this crime.
Judge for yourself if the following story could be true, whether Jacob Muranganwa is speaking the truth when confessing murdering his brother’s son. However, it’s now ‘s up to the police the investigate this case, up to the judges to try Jacob if there is reason to prosecute him. Its up to the law.
Warning: the following article contains graphic details of a ritual murder (FVDK).
Uncle murders brother’s son
Published: November 27, 2020 By: ManicaPost, Zimbabwe – Tendai Gukutikwa
A HONDE Valley man recently confessed to killing his nine-year-old nephew for ritual purposes, before going on to harvest the minor’s private parts, arms, ears and eyes after being contracted to do so by his brother and another businessman, The Manica Post has established.
However, reliable sources in the community are saying the man is walking scot-free after making the confession.
Jacob Muranganwa is now said to be facing the full wrath of his late nephew, Zedek Muranganwa’s avenging spirit which reportedly carries him outside during his sleep.
Zedek was murdered last year by his father’s brother Jacob.
The murder came to light when one of the Muranganwa siblings — John —approached acting Chief Mutasa’s court accusing his brothers — James and Abraham — of harassing him and breaching his peace.
John said James and Abraham were accusing him of killing Zedek for ritual purposes. However, things took a dramatic twist when Jacob sprung from his seat to confess to the murder.
“I cannot endure this torment anymore. Every morning I wake up sleeping outside. At first, I thought I was sleep-walking, but when I started seeing Zedek’s image every night, I knew his avenging spirit was behind it all. “Whenever it gets dark, l see the boy’s image. I am the only one who sees him, even when I am with someone else,” confessed Jacob during the court session.
Jacob said he murdered Zedek for ritual purposes and harvested the boy’s private parts, arms, ears and eyes.
Three days later, he hung the lifeless and mutilated body on a tree near the boy’s home to stage a suicide.
Jacob fingered his brother, John, businessman Kwambana and another unidentified businessman, of contracting him to carry out a ritual murder to boost their businesses. John allegedly owns a leisure centre in Honde Valley.
“Sometime last year, my brother John, Kwambana and another businessman asked me to harvest a young boy’s body parts for money-making rituals.
“The next day I saw Zedek coming from school and I lured him to my workplace — John’s grinding mill. I promised to give him some money for his school fees and he obliged. I gave him sadza laced with Maragada pills.
“He ate the sadza and dozed off moments later. I took a hammer and hit him once on the head. Zedek died instantly. I took his body and hid it behind the grinding mill.
“After closing the grinding mill, I cut off the body parts. When John and his partners came to collect the body parts, they placed the body in a refrigerator. It stayed there for three days before they instructed me to hang it near Zedek’s home to make it appear like the boy had committed suicide,” narrated Jacob.
After Jacob’s confession, Chief Mutasa ordered his aides to accompany him to Ruda Police Station as he said criminal issues were beyond his jurisdiction.
However, John died mysteriously a week later.
He was buried last Friday.
The Muranganwa siblings’ relatives who spoke to The Manica Post on condition of anonymity said John was found dead. They said they suspect that Zedek’s avenging spirit might have pushed his Uncle John into an early grave.
On the other hand, reliable sources from the community said Jacob is walking scot free after being released from police custody.
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringwa could neither confirm nor deny the matter and said investigations were underway.
“We have called Ruda Police Station and they could neither confirm nor deny that they are handling such a case. However, word doing the rounds in the community confirms the murder case. We will need to dig deeper with the investigations to get to the bottom of the issues,” said Insp Kakohwa.
This is, for the time being, the last series of articles related to the ritual murder of 7-year old Tapiwa Makore from Murewa village, Zimbabwe, last month. See my previous postings on the subject. Interested readers who wish to learn further developments in this muti murder case are advised to use a search machine to find out. The purpose of this site is not to cover each and every aspect of a ritual murder. This site aims to draw attention to the occurrence of this phenomenon – notably in Africa – which constitutes not only a gruesome and heinous murder and crime but also a disrespect for human rights – of both the victim and his or her relatives and the society at large.
No one should live in fear. Freedom from fear is considered an essential human right. Governments are supposed to protect their citizens and correct and punish perpetrators of crimes against an individual or against the society at large.
Warning: the following articles contain graphic details of the gruesome murder (webmaster FVDK).
Father Of Slain Murewa Boy Seeks Closure
Published: October 25, 2020 By: New Zimbabwe – Robert Tapfumaneyi
The delayed burial of the late seven-year-old Murewa boy, Tapiwa Makore who was brutally murdered for suspected ritual purposes has brought more pain to the deceased’s family.
In an interview with NewZimbabwe.com, the father Munyaradzi Makore, the father of the deceased, he wants his son’s remains interred so that he rests in peace.
However, the challenge the family is facing is Tapiwa’s head is missing, a month after he was slain by an uncle, Tapiwa Makore Snr, and his herd boy, Tafadzwa Shamba. Both have been arrested and are in remand prison.
The local chief is insisting he will not allow Tapiwa to be buried without his head, but the killers are mum on the whereabouts of the head.
“I have finally accepted that my son Tapiwa is dead and that he died a very painful death,” Makore said.
“But what pains me most is that it’s almost a month now and we are still mourning as we are yet to bury the remains of my late son.
“The two killers who murdered my son were arrested and are currently in police custody and the herd boy openly admitted to the killing and he also told the police the person he gave the Tapiwa’s head.
“It’s painful for us knowing who carried the brutal murder. The killers cannot tell us or the police where the head is. What is stopping them from telling us where the head is so that we can finally bury Tapiwa?” Makore said.
He said the family’s appeal was for the murderers to come out in the open and tell them where the missing head is as his remains were now in a bad state.
Makore also appealed with the courts to be firmer when sentencing his son’s killers.
“The courts must also give a stiffer sentence to deter anyone who wants to commit ritual murders. Children must be protected at all cost, no to ritual murders.”
Tapiwa was murdered on the night of September 24 after being kidnapped from the family garden where he was keeping watch.
The family of the late Tapiwa Makore has pleaded with his killers to let them know where they put his head so that they can finally bury him and find closure.
The delayed burial of the late seven-year-old Murewa boy who was brutally murdered on September 24 for suspected ritual purposes has brought more pain to the deceased’s family as hopes of finding his missing head are diminishing by the day.
Speaking during an interview with New Zimbabwe, the father of the deceased, Munyaradzi Makore appealed to Tapiwa’s murderers to come out in the open and tell them where Tapiwa’s missing head is as his remains are now in a bad state.
“I have finally accepted that my son Tapiwa is dead and that he died a very painful death.”
“But what pains me most is that it’s almost a month now and we are still mourning as we are yet to bury the remains of my late son.”
“The two killers who murdered my son were arrested and are currently in police custody and the herd boy openly admitted to the killing and he also told the police the person he gave the Tapiwa’s head.”
“It’s painful for us knowing who carried the brutal murder. The killers cannot tell us or the police where the head is. What is stopping them from telling us where the head is so that we can finally bury Tapiwa?” Makore said.
It’s been nearly a month since Tapiwa was murdered and the family still hasn’t been able to bury him. All that his father wants is for his son’s missing head to be found so that his son can finally rest in peace.
Makore also appealed with the courts to be firm when sentencing his son’s killers.
“The courts must also give a stiffer sentence to deter anyone who wants to commit ritual murders. Children must be protected at all cost, no to ritual murders,” he said.
2 Skulls Of Kids Discovered In Murehwa And Neither Of Them Is Tapiwa’s
Published: October 23, 2020 By: Timeye, Zimbabwe
The victim, 7-year old Tapiwa Makore
“…We also discovered separate sets of teeth; and two separate skulls, one with lower teeth and the other one with upper teeth but without a tongue…”
This week marks 5 weeks after 7 year old Tapiwa Makore was discovered dead in Murehwa.
His relatives this week tell ZimEye, the story is still the same since that fateful day on the 17th September when Tapiwa’s body was found dismembered without several parts that include his head.
5 days later two skulls of children were discovered and one of them they boldly deny could ever be Tapiwa’s.
They said they are convinced that the first discovered fresh skull could not be their “son’s”.
Mr Isaac Makore (57), the deceased boy’s granduncle, said the newly discarded skull they chanced on was not his grandnephew’s, but that of a 12-year-old, yet to be identified child’s.
As a result of the uncertainty, Tapiwa is still to find rest, as burial arrangements have been put on hold pending further investigations.
“My grandnephew went missing, and we later discovered his torso with other organs, like the head, hands, and legs missing. We also discovered separate sets of teeth; and two separate skulls, one with lower teeth and the other one with upper teeth but without a tongue.
“Indications are that the other skull belongs to a yet to be identified older child, and not our ‘child’s’, Mr Makore said.
However, the boy’s privates were untouched.
Following Tapiwa’s grisly murder, and the unearthing of more mutilated body parts, villagers are now living in fear of death merchants who could be on the prowl in the area, seeking children’s hearts for ritual purposes.
Tapiwa’s uncle, Mr Simbarashe Makore (38), said it is believed that there could be many children, although not from their area, who could have been killed for ritual purposes, and had their bodies dumped in the proximity of their village.
“We are now living in fear. Our prayer is that the police apprehend the culprits and rid our area of this menace. Who knows, after our children, they may also come for us, their parents. How could someone kill a fellow human being in such cold blood just like that?” he bemoaned.
Ms Easther Makore (52), Tapiwa’s aunt concurred, saying the police should not leave any stone unturned and get to the bottom of the issue as it was mind-boggling that so many human organs could be discovered hard upon her nephew’s demise.
Meanwhile more confusion has built up following the police’s delay in catching the N’anga who allegedly ordered the killing.
This comes at the backdrop of an unnamed N’anga at the weekend making allegations that Tapiwa’s head was taken to a property in Dzvivarasekwa. – the investigation continues
WILL TAPIWA MAKORE’S HEAD EVER BE FOUND?
Screenshot – click the link below (‘Source’) to watch the video.
Slain Tapiwa Makore’s father, Mr Munyaradzi Makore, narrates the ordeal to journalists in the company of his wife Ms Linda Munyori
Published: October 21, 2020 By: Nehanda Radio, Zimbabwe
The burial of the seven-year-old boy, Tapiwa Makore, killed and dismembered in a suspected ritual murder in Murehwa, will be delayed as police need the results of DNA tests on the torso, recovered first, and the limbs, found in a toilet later, to prove all the body parts belong to the boy.
Police are still hunting for the boy’s head, suspected to have been taken for ritual purposes.
The boy was murdered on the night of September 24 this year after being kidnapped earlier from the family garden.
The boy’s uncle, Tapiwa Makore (senior) and the uncle’s domestic worker, Tafadzwa Shamba, have since been arrested for the kidnapping and killing and have been remanded in custody for trial.
Results of the first samples of the torso sent for DNA tests last month were expected last week, but police later recovered the boy’s legs from a toilet and samples from the recovered legs were last week taken for testing.
The test results are expected in about two to three weeks’ time.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the burial might have to be delayed because results cannot be released piecemeal.
“Forensic tests are ongoing,” he said. “We have sent more samples to the laboratory and the family has to wait a bit until the results are out. The boy’s family has been appraised of the developments and they have to be patient until the tests are done.
“A comprehensive report, including all the samples, will be released once they are done with all the tests.”
Asst Comm Nyathi appealed for information on the whereabouts of the missing head.
“Up to now, we have not yet found the boy’s head and we appeal for information from those in the know so that we can recover it,” he said.
“Definitely, someone out there knows where the head is. We appeal for cooperation so that we recover it and complete our investigations.”
Government has also rendered support to the family during their bereavement. The Herald
Legislators condemn the brutal killing of Tapiwa Makore
Published: October 21, 2020 By: The Herald, Zimbabwe – Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
Zimbabwe – MPs in parliament
(…..) (…..) (…..) (…..) (paragraphs omitted by the webmaster FVDK for not being relevant to the murder case)
Meanwhile legislators condemned the brutal killing of Tapiwa Makore, a seven-year-old boy from Murehwa who was allegedly murdered for ritual purposes. The boy’s body was found mutilated with its head missing. His uncle also named Tapiwa Makore and his herdsman Tafadzwa Shamba have since been arrested as murder suspects.
Cde Togarepi yesterday moved a motion condemning the killing saying the perpetrators deserved to be punished severely for the crime.
He also called on the political and community leadership to conduct awareness campaigns against popular beliefs that human body parts could boost business ventures.
Cde Dexter Nduna also seconded the adoption of the motion saying there was nothing as painful as losing one’s child.
Another development in the sad saga of the ritualistic murder of the young, 7-year old Tapiwa Makore. It must be said that local authorities and notably the local police acted swiftly after the discovery of the victims’ mutilated body, on September 18. Even President Mnangagwa reacted on the muthi (muti) murder, condemning the heinous crime on September 25 (see my posting dated October 2, 2020).
It is believed by superstitious, wicked people that body parts which have been taken – from a living victim (!) – and processed in a particular way, by a traditional healer or witchdoctor (n’anga), that these ritualistic activities will enhance one’s power or wealth.
There is no place for such superstition and disrespect for human life in the year 2020 (or before that year). The rule of law must apply, suspects should be put on trial and judged by an independent judge. And more prevention should take place: through education.
Warning: The following articles contain graphic details of the cruel murder (webmaster FVDK).
Murehwa ritual murder: Police quiz n’anga
Asst Comm Paul Nyathi
Published: October 16, 2020 By: The Herald, Zimbabwe – Investigations Editor
POLICE have picked up a traditional healer for questioning over the missing head of the seven-year-old Murehwa boy, Tapiwa Makore, suspected to have been murdered for ritual purposes.
Body parts taken in a ritual murder which occurred at Makore Village under Chief Mangwende, would have to be processed in particular ways, the superstitious believe, so that they bring good fortune and riches.
Police started hunting for the traditional healer they believed was implicated in this killing soon after they arrested the two men they suspect were the actual killers.
Only a torso and legs were recovered from the dismembered body, but the head is still missing.
In their investigations, police recovered the head of another child, a 12-year-old, in the same village, but think it may have been exhumed from a grave.
Although the police did not disclose the name of the traditional healer, they confirmed he was being questioned.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police have established that they had been given a lot of misleading information on the death of the boy and people were hiding crucial information.
“We have realised that some people are not telling the truth and they are hiding crucial information. But we will surely get to the bottom of the matter and the truth will come out,” said Asst-Comm Nyathi.
Tapiwa was allegedly murdered for ritual purposes by his uncle Tapiwa Makore (Senior) who used his own domestic worker, Tafadzwa Shamba (40).
The boy was kidnapped in the family garden in the village.
Shamba, a herdsman, and the boy’s uncle have since been arrested and taken to court facing murder charges.
They now await trial while in remand prison. They were remanded in custody to October 26 in absentia yesterday, as they are still assisting police with investigations.
Meanwhile, police have taken the head of a 12-year-old child recently found in the same village for forensic analysis.
There has been no report of another missing child in that age group, creating room for suspicion that the head could have been exhumed from a grave.
“The other head found in Makore village is now subject to forensic analysis. So far no report of a missing person falling in that category has been received by the police. We are still investigating that matter,” said Asst-Comm Nyathi.
During investigations, Shamba recently told detectives he killed the boy by cutting off the head with a knife in the dead of the night, while the boy’s uncle was holding a torch.
Shamba said after the alleged murder, he carried a black plastic bag containing the head and the dismembered body while his employer, who is the boy’s uncle, carried another bag containing the arms and legs.
He led the team of detectives to the uncle’s homestead where he said he fed the boy, drugged him with kachasu and locked him up in a room for hours.
Shamba said he met the boy’s uncle around midnight and took the boy to a nearby mountain, where they allegedly killed him.
“Around midnight, we opened the door and I carried the boy, who was still in deep slumber to a mountain in the village. Mr Makore carried the knives and the plastic bags. While here (in the mountain), I pressed the boy to the ground and cut off his head with a sharp knife, while his uncle was holding a torch for lighting.
“I also cut off the hands and legs, but we packed the parts in different plastic bags. I carried the one with the torso and the head while Mr Makore carried another one containing the legs and hands,” he said.
At the scene, investigators saw human waste, believed to have been excreted by the boy during the murder.
Shamba told detectives that he cleaned the scene of the blood and set the grass on fire to destroy evidence.
He said while walking back to Makore’s homestead, he felt the load was becoming heavier before dumping the torso near Mr Summer Murwira’s homestead.
While at Makore’s homestead, Shamba said he was instructed to put the head in one of the rooms, which he did.
The following day, Shamba said he dumped the arms and legs at a nearby grave as police investigations were intensifying.
Pastor Charles Charamba Speaks Out On Murehwa Ritual Killing
Pastor Charles Charamba
Published: October 14, 2020 By: iHarare, Zimbabwe – Audrey L. Ncube
Gospel musician Pastor Charles Charamba has condemned the killing of children for ritual purposes. The condemnation comes in the wake of the murder of a seven-year-old Murehwa boy, Tapiwa Makore, for ritual purposes, allegedly by his uncle.
In an interview with Hmetro, Pastor Charamba decried the loss of young children as a result of heinous and evil actions for rituals and witchcraft purposes.
“The disappointing aspect in this account of Tapiwa from Murewa is that those men that wanted to be rich, wanted to be rich during this lockdown knowing that everyone in the world has been impoverished.
“They were led by that need to be rich when everything else around the world is stagnant, that is very evil,” Pastor Charamba said.
Pastor Charamba revealed that he is pained by the unfortunate killing of Tapiwa Makore for ritual purposes. He emphasized how the Bible talks about the sacredness of life.
“For me as a pastor, it is very unfortunate that we lost Tapiwa and others of his age but I am saying that life is sacred.
He explained it is painful and unfortunate that these killings are done by people very close to the children. He called on guardians to keep children safe and not to fall under the influence of superstition as it is an enemy of society.
“It is something that is very sad and very unfortunate because it is being done by people who are supposed to be trusted custodians of the children. They abuse their offices and also abuse their relationships with their victims.
“We are hoping that the Almighty guides us so that our society changes and improves when it comes to issues that have to do with trust.
“Above all, the way in which we people want money nowadays is not a good way at all and this is also being caused by what is known as superstition because what people usually regard as worshipping is not actually worshipping,” he said.
Murehwa Ritual Murder Details Emerge… Victim’s Uncle Wanted To Use Body Parts To Get Rich And For Horticulture Project
Tapiwa Makore Senior
Published: October 1, 2020 By: iHarare, Zimbabwe – Sharon Chirisa
Murehwa Ritual Murder Details… Victim’s Uncle Wanted To Get Rich
The senseless murder of 7 year old Tapiwa Makore from Makore Village under Chief Mangwende, in Murehwa, left the whole country with a bitter taste in their mouths.
The whole country is still recovering from the heinous crime and never has been the pursuit of justice been swift and urgent before.
Tapiwa Makore was abducted while he was watching over his family’s garden from thieving monkeys, only for his mutilated corpse to turn up the next day, being ravaged by the Makore neighbors’ oblivious dogs.
A breakthrough emerged in the case, after the cattle herdman, Tafadzwa Shamba was arrested in connection with the murder, eventually leading to Tapiwa’s namesake and uncle, as being the mastermind behind the cold blooded killing.
The police were correct in treating it as a ritual murder, because that is what it turned out to be after further investigations.
Ritual murders are often accompanied by mutilation and the dismemberment of certain body parts which are believed to be the main ingredients for spells, this mostly includes the head, private parts, tongue and sometimes the eyes and limbs.
The reason behind Tapiwa Makore’s murder is more shocking like the murder itself.
According to state broadcaster reports earlier this week, his uncle had him killed because he wanted to increase his wealth and boost his horticulture project using dark magic.
Tapiwa Makore’s other body parts were taken to a yet to be identified witch doctor, who would then perform the spell.
Even more chilling was the fact that Tapiwa Makore Senior stood by, holding a torch for illumination, as Tafadzwa Shamba was murdering his nephew.
Tapiwa Makore’s final hours must have been frightening and lonely as he was detained in the home of the man who was not only a trusted family member, but his namesake as well.
The boy was restrained, drugged using an illicit brew of alcohol and then taken to a mountain in the night where he was decapitated and mutilated.
His uncle Tapiwa Makore Snr , initially denied the accusations but an arrest was made.
Makore and Shamba are currently remanded in custody, awaiting trial on the 13th of October 2020.
The stain of his death is one that will linger on in the psyches of many.
Warning: the following articles on the muti (or muthi) murder of 7-year old Tapiwa Makore contain graphic details which may shock the reader (webmaster FVDK).
Murehwa ritual killer speaks about the Tapiwa Makore murder in his own words
Published: September 30, 2020 By: iHarare – Tim E. Ndoro
The horrific premeditated murder of seven-year-old Tapiwa Makore from Murehwa for ritual purposes has shocked the country. While cases of ritual killings are reported from time to time, this one has shocked many due to the frequent updates as well as gory photos and details about the murder (bold letter type and italics added by the webmaster).
Tapiwa Makore Senior is accused of murdering his nephew, a 7-year old boy.
Tapiwa’s 57-year-old uncle, Tapiwa Makore Senior has since been arrested for the ritual murder which was carried out in Makore Village, Murehwa under Chief Mangwende. Tapiwa Makore Senior is alleged to have instructed his herdsman, Tafadzwa Shamba to kidnap the boy and to murder him for ritual purposes.
40-year-old Tafadzwa Shamba was the first to be arrested for the murder. Following questioning by the police, Shamba implicated his employer leading to the arrest of Tapiwa’s uncle.
Since his arrest last week, Shamba has been cooperating with the authorities and giving them the full details of what transpired on the fateful day. During an inspection in loco on Tuesday, Shamba revealed how his boss had joined the search party during the day while fully knowing that his nephew had been plied with alcohol and that he was sleeping in his house. After the search party was called off for the day, Makore senior then instructed Shamba to carry out the murder. He even held the torch to provide illumination to allow his herdsmen to murder his nephew in cold blood.
You can watch a video of Tafadzwa Shamba speaking in his own words detailing how the two of them carried out the ritual killing.
Murehwa Ritual Killing Suspect Tafadzwa Shamba (Image Credit: Herald/Zimpapers Images) Screenshot. To watch the video click here
Meanwhile, Tapiwa Makore Senior appeared before Murehwa magistrate Chiedza Gatsi at the Murehwa Magistrate’s Court today facing charges of murdering his nephew.
He was denied bail and was remanded in custody to October 13, 2020.
Makore and his co-accused Tafadzwa Shamba who is his herdsman were remanded in custody to October 13 when they appeared before Murehwa magistrate Ms. Chiedza Gatsi facing charges of murder.
Makore is the elder brother to the late boy’s father.
The court heard that on September 17 at around midday, Shamba reportedly proceeded to a garden which Tapiwa (junior) was watching over. It is alleged Makore had given Shamba the keys to his earlier in the day.
Shamba lured the deceased young boy to Makore’s house where he detained him in the living room after feeding him sadza.
Makore was alerted that the young boy was missing and joined others in searching for him until midnight to remove any suspicion. He later returned to his homestead and found the boy asleep under the watchful eye of Shamba.
At around 1 AM the duo carried the boy to a secluded area where they butchered him. The boy’s uncle allegedly pinned the boy to the ground while Shamba used a knife to cut off the head, arms, and limbs.
The limbs and arms were put in a different pack which Makore carried whilst Shamba carried a pack containing the abdomen and head. The abdomen was dumped near Mr. Summer Murwira’s homestead, but Shamba took the other parts to Makore’s homestead.
Later that same day, Murwira discovered the abdomen which was being eaten by his dogs.
It is also alleged that on the same day, Shamba removed his blood-stained pair of trousers and placed them in Makore’s kitchen hut.
On September 20, detectives recovered the pair of trousers belonging to the deceased after searching Makore’s house.
On September 23, Shamba was arrested and a search was conducted in his bedroom, leading to the recovery of a white blood-stained vest.
He confessed to committing the murder with Makore.
Another muthi or muti murder in Mashonaland East province, Zimbabwe. On September 18, 2020, a 7-year old boy, Tapiwa Myamutubu, was found murdered with several body parts missing. His parents had reported him missing the day before, on September 17.
The family of the murdered child hails from Makore Village, Murewa Town.
Warning: the following articles contain graphic details (webmaster FVDK).
SAD NEWS: Murewa boy murdered in ritual killing, body parts missing
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi
Published: September 21, 2020 By: Harare Live
A 7-year-old boy from Makore Village under Chief Mangwende in Murewa was allegedly murdered last week in a suspected case of ritual killing.
Reports are that the boy was sent by his parents to look after the garden on the morning of September 17.
His parents went to the garden later to do some watering and found that their son was missing.
The parents enquired on the whereabouts of their son from other children who were also looking after their gardens nearby.
They were told that their son has been seen swimming in a nearby pond.
The boy’s parents went to the pond but could not find their son.
They then alerted some villagers and a search was conducted until midnight but they could not find him.
On September 18, in the morning, a day after the boy went missing, it is reported that a neighbour woke up and discovered his dog and its puppies feasting on human body parts in his yard.
He then alerted the boy’s parents and a report was made to the police.
The body had its head, neck, both legs and arms hacked off.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said investigations into the matter are in progress.
“Police in Murewa are looking for perpetrators behind the gruesome murder of a 7-year-old boy who went missing on September 17, 2020 after he had been sent to the garden by his mother.
“The body of the boy was later discovered on September18 2020 being eaten by dogs with the head, arms and legs chopped off for suspected ritual purposes. We urge parents and guardians to always be on the look out of their minors and prioritise their safety, at all times. Investigations into this matter are in progress.”-The Herald
Mrehwa Ritual Killing Of Boy Takes Strange Twist As Body Parts Fail To Match Missing Child
Published: September 23, 2020 By: iHarare – Sharon Chirisa
The bereaved Makore family from Nyamutubu is struggling to come to terms with the cold blooded and sinister murder of their 7-year-old son, Tapiwa, who was killed last Friday.
Tapiwa was killed in what is now believed to be a ritual murder, after he went missing last Thursday, only to be found lifeless, with several body parts hacked off.
Tapiwa’s body was found with the arms, legs and head missing, with some body parts like the skull, jaws, bones found later.
The kidnappers who are believed to be behind the murder haven’t been found yet.
The Mrehwa community was left shell shocked by the gruesome murder of the boy and the reason why it was done.
Chief Mangwende whose jurisdiction the area falls under, expressed his shock speaking with to ZBC saying
“I am shocked by such gruesome murder I have never seen such brutality,”
Chief Mangwende revealed that the skull found on the scene, thought to be belonging to Tapiwa turned out not to be his.
However, the burden is heavy to bear for the family who have been left in more pain after it was announced that the skull which was discovered does not match the body, hence the need for DNA tests.
The Makore family appealed for assistance in order to go for DNA tests.
“As a family we are appealing for assistance to go for DNA tests to establish if all the body parts belong to our child,”
For now, the burial plans have been stalled as they have to corroborate all the body parts via DNA testing.
For now, the burial plans have been stalled as they have to corroborate all the body parts via DNA testing.
In a scene that sounds like a script out of a horror movie, a 7-year-old boy who went missing was found the next day murdered with dogs feasting on his body parts.
Reports indicate that the boy was found with missing body parts and police are suspecting the boy was murdered and his parts harvested for ritual purposes.
On the morning of September 16, the boy from Makore Village under Chief Mangwende in Murewa was sent by his parents to look after the garden.
The boy’s parents could not locate him when they went to the garden later to do some watering.
This sent them into a panic resulting in them enquiring about the whereabouts of their son from other children who were also manning their gardens nearby.
The parents were told that their son was swimming in a nearby pond but were disappointed when they made their way there only to find their young boy was not at the said pond.
The parents then sought help from other villagers and a search was conducted until midnight without fruition.
The next morning, it is reported that a neighbor woke up and discovered his dogs and its puppies feasting on human body parts in his yard.
The neighbor then alerted the boy’s parents who made a report to the police.
The body had its head, neck, both legs and arms hacked off.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the sad incident adding that investigations into the matter are in progress.
Nyathi said:
Police in Murewa are looking for perpetrators behind the gruesome murder of a 7-year-old boy who went missing on September 17, 2020 after he had been sent to the garden by his mother. The body of the boy was later discovered on September18 2020 being eaten by dogs with the head, arms and legs chopped off for suspected ritual purposes. We urge parents and guardians to always be on the look out of their minors and prioritise their safety, at all times. Investigations into this matter are in progress.
Mrewa gruesome murder: Makore family still in shock
Published: September 22, 2020 By: ZBC Reporter
THE Makore family from Nyamutubu area under Chief Mangwende in Mrewa is yet to come to terms with the gruesome murder of their 7-year-old son Tapiwa who was killed last Friday.
The gruesome murder of the young boy who was beheaded after he went missing last Thursday has left this community in Mrewa shell shocked.
The body was found with legs, arms and head missing.
Some body parts which include bum flesh, skull, jaws and bones were later discovered in the area.
When ZBC News visited the area, scores of people were at the Makore homestead to pay their condolences.
Those who spoke to the ZBC News crew including the traditional leader for the area, Chief Mangwende said this was unheard of the area.
“I am shocked by such gruesome murder I have never seen such brutality,” said Chief Mangwende. “I woke up only to find my dogs eating flesh and had to call fellow villagers for help,” said Nambuwa one of the villagers.
However, the burden is heavy to bear for the family who have been left in more pain after it was announced that the skull which was discovered does not match the body, hence the need for DNA tests.
“As a family we are appealing for assistance to go for DNA tests to establish if all the body parts belong to our child,” said representative of Makore family.
It is another sad turn of events after the grave which was being prepared for burial had to be abandoned due to the latest developments.
Numerous articles report the ritual murder of the 7-year old Tapiwa, in Zimbabwean newspapers as well as on YouTube and on Facebook. Follows a selection.
The reader is warned that these links may expire after some time (webmaster FVDK).
